Tenpin-spotting machine.



F. W. COPFIN. TENPIN SIPOTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1909.

@lal

F. W. GOFFIN.

TENPIN SPOTTING- MACHINE.

APPLICATION PILED'MAY 11. 1909.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

ZSHEETS-SHBBT 2.

vvil'ueaaea To all whom it may concern:

for settingten-pins'or any of the different view of the machine showinPATENT OFFICE.

FRANK w. ooFF-IN, 0F SLATINGTQN, PENNSYLVANIA. 'rEnPm-sroh'rmamen-ma.

no. ceases;

\ Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10,1909.

Application mec m 11, 1909. ser al No. 495,287.

Be itknown that I, FRANK W. Gorrm, of Slatington, in the county ofLehigh and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Ten.

pin-ipotting Machines; and I hereby declare that the following is afull, clear,- and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention as a novel machine for setting up ten-pins, and the like,in bowling alleys, and is semi-automatic in operation, the attendantsimply having to pickup the p-ms and put them in the machine'a-ndthenrelease the latter, whereupon the machine places the. pins, in positionupon the alley and moves out of the way. It can be used games playedwith'such pins; .suchas duckplns, and candle-pins. 4

I will now describe the machine as illus trated in the accompanyingdrawings which show one practical embodiment of the invention; and willthen set forth the essen' 1 tial features and combinations of parts forwhich protection is desired, in the claims. In sa1d draw1ngsF- 1gure 1is a front pin-recelvmg position 1n f lines, and 1n 7 pin-settingposition in dotted-lines. Fig.- 2

1s a rear view'of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section on line3-3, Fig. 1, showing the machine in pin-setting position in full lines,and in pin-receiving position in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is adetailvertical section of the machine in raised or pin-receivin position. Fig.5 is an-enlargeddetail p in view of the bottom-plate shifting devices.Fig. 6 is a detail view ofone ofthe pin-holders, with a removable tubetherein.

. I Themachine, as shown in the drawings,

comprises a trim lar frame which is preferably formedc side and end bars1, arrgnged vertically edgewise and transverse banal to which aresecured pin-receiversor cylinders 1 adapted toreceive the ten-pins,T.The cylinders will ordinarily be made large enoughto. receive thelargest sized regplntiomtempins, and in order to receive smaller pinsremovable tubes 1 can be arranged tobeslid-intothe cylinders 1" as indi-'egtedtiniFig. -6-to receive theismaller sized p ns-,suchjasduckepins orcandle ins. The

rams is provided with a trianguar bottom it in raised or 1 by havingslots 2 engaged by headed pins 1 fast to the bars 1. The p ate 2 isprovided with apertures. 2 adapted to register with the lower ends ofthe cylinders 1 when the frame is in lowermost position, and when the'fame is raised the gravi y into the position lndicated in" Figs. '1 and 4so that it blocks the lower ends of the cylinders and prevents the pinsdropping therefrom or .therethrough until the frame is lowered tosetting position, at which time plate 2 is moved forward by deviceshereinafter described, so that the holes 2 register with cylinders 1 andpermit the pins to pass out onto the floor of the alle A.

The rear bar 1 of the frame is hinge as shown at 3*, to the lower endsof vertically movable bars 3, one at each side of the frame, and whichbars are slidably connected by loops 3 to vertical rods 3 which arerigidly fastened to uprights F, one at each'side of the alley; saiduprights being connected at top by a cross piece I".

raisedosition, by means of chains or ropes 4 attac ed to the side barsof the frame ad- 'acentthe hinge and extending up over pul leys- 4attached to the top bar f of the frame and having weights 4* connectedto the free ends of the cords, said weights being suflicient toslightlyqnore than counterbalance the weight of the frame 1, and thebars 3, when the pins are not in the frame. When catches 5 pivoted tothe top bar F of the frame and engaging beveled 1 portions or teeth 3attached to the bars 3, as shown in' of the frame; but the descent ofthe frame disengages it fromthecatch 1 and allows it to tilt forwardlyas, it descends. To prevent the frame tilting forwardly too rapidly asplate 2 drops by The frame is raised, and normally held in the. frame israised by the weights, it islocked in elevated position by means of Fig.2; these teeth may be extensions of the H frame and engaging a plate 1on the apex plate 2 which is slidably connected to the bars it descendsI provide cushioning devices therefor consisting of jointed leverscomposed of members 6, 6 which are pivoted together at 6; the other endof link 6 is piv- 5 oted to the adjacent bar at 6, and the other end oflever 6 is pivoted at 6 to an arm or bracket 6 attached to the side barsof the frame.

A contractile helical spring 7 is attached 10 to bar 3, above each link6, to a loop 7 slidably engaging such link 6. When the frame is inraised position the spring 7 is contracted and the slide 7 b is at theouter end of link 6 or at the junction of links 6, 6f, (see Fig. 4) andtherefore has less power; but when the frame is released and descends,it tilts forwardly on its hinges and springs 7 are extended (see Fig.The springs 7 at first offer their greatest resistance to the swingingmovement of the frame, but as the frame lowers to a horizontal positionthe lpops 7 shift back on links 6 as indicated in ig. 3.

When the frame is released by disengagement of catches 5-(the cylindershavin been previously filled with pins)the loaded frame descends andtilts forwardly on its hinges until it nearly assumes a horizontalposition, at which time the plate 2 is shifted so as to cause its slots2" to register with the cylinders. The shifting of the plate may beaccomplished in various ways but as shown in the drawings the lower orrear edge of plate 2 is connected to links 8, as at S and the other endsof links 8 are pivoted to the lower edges of bars 3 as shown at 8 Whenthe frame is raised these links assume the position indicated in Figs. 1and 2 and pro ject below this lower or rear edge of the rearmost bar 1of the frame. When the frame is released and descends levers 8 come 1ncontact with stops 8 fastened to the bars 3, see Figs. 3, 4 and 5,arresting the motion of said levers while the frame completes its swingto horizontal position, and in so doing the levers 8 force plate 2 tomove forwardly and bring its slots 2 into register with cylinders 1 asindicated in Figs. 3 and 5 Whereupon the pins drop onto and rest uponthe alley A; and as the frame is thereupon relieved of the weight of thepins the weights 4 overbalance the weight of the unloaded frame-andreturn it to setting position. On the initial'upward movement the framerises clear of the pins and then begins to tilt upwardly, the tiltingbeing accomplished by the combined action of the pull-ropes 4, thespring 7, and links 6. The springs 7 do not come effectively intooperationuntil after the frame has risen sufiieiently to bring 6" abovethe pivots 6, and this enables the frame to automatically rise clear ofthe pins before it is tilted sufliciently to interfere with the pins.

Operation: The frame is normally held in the position shown in Figs. 1-and 4 in full lines, that is, suflieiently above the alley to be out ofthe way of the pins during the bowling. After the bowling the attendantplaces the pins in the respective eylinders 1' and then pulls cord 5thereby releasing catches 5, and the loaded frame drops vertically andat the same time tilts downwardly, and just before it reaches itslowermost position the plate 2 is shifted forwardly as described,dropping the pins in exact position on the alley; and the frame beingthen relieved of the weight of the pins is raised and swung back to theposition shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and remains in Such position out of theway until it is reloaded with the pins and re eased by the operator. Thejointed levers 6, 6, are used for the purpose of cushioning and regulating the swinging motion of the frame.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent thereon is:

1. In a pin-spotting apparatus the combination of a vertically movableframe provided with pin-receiving cylinders, a device for closing thelower ends of the cylinders when the frame is raised, means for holdingthe frame in raised position until loaded with the pins, means forreleasin the frame and causing it to descend, means for shifting theclosing devices to discharge the pins in the cylinders when the frame islowered, and means for raising the frame after the pins are released.

2. In a pin -s otter the combination of a vertically mova le tiltableframe provided with pin receivers, means for normally holding the framein upwardly inclined position,

means for releasing the, frame when the receivers are filled with pins,means for releasing the pins from the receivers when the frame tiltsforwardly to horizontal position, and means for raising the frame aftery the pins are released.

3. In a pin-spotter the combination of a vertically movable tiltableframe rovided with pin-receivers, means for norma ly holding the framein raised and upwardly inclined position, means for lockin the frame inraised position, means for re easing the frame when the receivers arefilled with pins, whereupon the frame descends and tilts forwardly,means for releasing the pins from the retainers when the frame reaches asubstantially 1 horizontal position, and means for raising the frameafter the pins are released.

4. In a pin-setting apparatus the combination of a frame provided withpin-receivers, slidable devices adapted to close the receivers, meansfor raising the frame when .unloaded, means for slidin said devices torelease the pins when the ra'me is lowered, and means for raising theunloaded frame.

plate adapted to close the lower end of the cylinders, means for raisingthe frame when unloaded, means for sliding said late to. releasethe.pins when the frame is owered to horizontal position, and means forraising the unloaded frame.

6. In a pin-setting device the combination of'a frame provided withpin-receivers, a slidable bottom plate on said frame provided withopenings adapted to .register with the receivers,'means for shiftingsaid plate out of register with the receivers when the frame is famed,and means for shifting said plate into register with the receivers whenthe frame is lowered.

7. In a pin-setting device the combination of a frame provided withpin-receivers, a

slidable bottom plate on said frame provided with openings adapted toregister with the receivers, means for shifting said plate to move theopenings out of registerwith the receivers when the frame is raised, andmeans for shifting said plate to bring the openings 'into register withthe receivers when the frame is lowered; with meansfor automaticallyraising the frame when empty, and means for holding said frame in raisedposition while being loaded.

8. In combination vertically movable bars, a frame hinged to said bars,pin-receivers in said frame, means for raising the frame and bars,spring controlled levers for regulating the swinging movement of theframe onsaid bars, and means for releasing the pins in the receiverswhen the frame is lowered to horizontal position.

9. In combination vertically movable bars, a triangular frame hinged tosaid bars, pinreceivers in said frame, weights connected with said framefor raising it and the bars, spring controlled levers .for regulatingthe swinging movement of the frame on said bars, and a slidable bottomplate on said frame for releasing the pins in' the retainers when theframe 1s lowered to horizontal position. I

10. In combination vertically movable bars, a frame hinged to said bars,pin-renected with said frame for raisin ceivers in said frame, weightsconnected with said frame for raising it and the bars, means forregulating the swingin movement of the frame on said bars, an means forreleasing the pins in the retainers when the frame is lowered tohorizontal position; with catches for locking the frame when in raisedposition. I

11. In combination vertically movable bars, a triangular frame hinged tosaid bars,

pin-receivers insaid frame, weights con it and the bars, springcontrolled levers or regulating the swinging movement of the'frame onsaid bars, a slidable bottom plate on said frame for releasing the pinsin the retainers when the frame is lowered to horizontal position; andcatches for locking the frame when in raised position.

12. In a iii-setting device the combination of a pin-holding frameprovided with pin-receivers, a slidable bottom plate on said frame,means for sliding the plate on the frame, vertically movable bars towhich said frame is hinged and levers pivoted to said plate and. to saidframe at o osite ends, and stops adapted to. engage sai levers andarrest their movement during the swinging descent of the frame wherebysaid plate is shifted.

13. In a pin-setting device the combination of a pin-holding frameprovided with pin-receiving cylinders, a slidable bottom plate on saidframe provided with openings adapted to register with the cylinders,means for sliding the plate on the frame, vertically movable bars towhich said frame is hinged,

levers pivoted to said plate and to said frame at opposite ends, andstops adapted to engage sa1d levers and arrest their move ment duringthe swinging descent of the frame, whereby said'plate is shiftedbringing its opening into register with the pm cylinders.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I aflix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

I FRANK W. COFFIN. Witnesses G. T. OPLINGER, JAMES NEMECEK.

